Right now a lot of work is being done behind the scenes at the synod of bishops in the Vatican as a team of eleven synod fathers assisted by expert staff sift through the hundreds of amendments and additions to the synod rsquo s interim-Report on the family and begin drafting its Final Report Giv
Gerard O’Connell
Gerard O’Connell is America’s senior Vatican correspondent and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Story of the Conclave That Changed History. He has been covering the Vatican since 1985.
Posted inDispatches
The Synod Is On The Home Stretch
The synod is on the home stretch The drafting of the Final Report begins tomorrow Oct 16 The finished text will be presented to the plenary assembly on Saturday morning Oct 18 and voted on that afternoon There is a sense of great expectation even some anxiety as participants wait to read t
Posted inVatican Dispatch
‘Rough Diamonds’
Pope Francis is concerned about the formation candidates for the priesthood are receiving.
Posted inSigns Of the Times
Synod Leader Suggests Steps To Streamline Annulment Process
One of the Vatican’s top canon lawyers at the Synod of Bishops on the Family says the current process for the annulment of marriages in the Catholic Church could be streamlined and expanded to the benefit of many people whose marriages have broken down.Cardinal Francis Coccopalmerio of Italy s
Posted inDispatches
Pushback at The Synod on The Family
While very many synod fathers warmly welcomed and appreciated the midway report presented by the Relator General Cardinal Peter Erdo on Oct 13 a significant number expressed serious objections to parts of that interim text both in terms of content and style That text sought to summarize the ri
Posted inDispatches
A New Wind Is Blowing at The Synod on The Family
A new wind is blowing at the extraordinary synod of bishops on the family nbsp A wind that is bringing back lsquo the spirit rsquo and even lsquo the letter rsquo of the Second Vatican Council several synod fathers said nbsp It rsquo s a wind that reveals a clear desire for the Church to dia
Posted inDispatches
Pope, in Unprecedented but Significant Decision, Adds Six Synod Fathers to Team that Writes Final Report
As the synod on the family reached the midway stage on a positive note Pope Francis took the unprecedented and highly significant decision to add six highly qualified synod fathers to the team that will write its Final Report nbsp That decision could prove to be a game changer At almost all of th
Posted inDispatches
Three Ways to Streamline Annulment Process
One of the Vatican rsquo s top canon lawyers at the Synod of Bishops on the Family says the current process for the annulment of marriages in the Catholic Church could be streamlined and expanded to the benefit of very many people whose marriages have broken down This could be one of the positive f
Posted inVatican Dispatch
Shock Waves in Rome
House arrest of former nuncio sends tremors through the Vatican establishment.
Posted inSigns Of the Times
Student Demonstrations Persist As Beijing Refuses to Budge
Tensions between student demonstrators and authorities in Beijing rose as protests continued for broader democratic rights in Hong Kong in October. On Oct. 3 protesters accused police of allowing pro-government “thugs” to assault them in the city’s Mong Kok district.“Nothing